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Commission approves first reading to expand Clearwater‑Largo Road redevelopment area and amend West Bay Drive plan
Summary
The Largo City Commission voted 7-0 on first reading to expand the Clearwater‑Largo Road Community Redevelopment District (CRD) and to amend the West Bay Drive CRD plan, moving both items forward for a second reading after presentations from planning consultants and discussion about annexation, tax‑increment financing and neighborhood concerns.
The Largo City Commission voted 7-0 on first reading on May 6 to expand the Clearwater‑Largo Road Community Redevelopment District (CRD) and to approve amendments to the West Bay Drive CRD plan, moves commissioners and staff said are intended to guide redevelopment, mobility and housing along the US‑19 corridor.
City planning staff and consultants from Kimley‑Horn presented the Clearwater‑Largo Road expansion and the West Bay Drive changes, saying outreach over roughly 18 months produced a plan that emphasizes mobility, housing and economic development and would create the legal basis for a tax‑increment financing (TIF) program to fund future projects.
Consultant Jared Schneider of Kimley‑Horn described priorities from stakeholder meetings and surveys, saying mobility and public space were recurring themes: "Mobility is a big 1 that that came up connecting North South, East West, making Missouri Avenue, Clearwater Largo Road safer." Schneider said the proposed Clearwater‑Largo Road expansion would add about 537 acres to bring the CRD to about 844 acres and that the consultants estimated roughly $11.5 million in tax‑increment revenue over the plan timeframe to apply to projects in three phased rounds (0–5 years, midterm, long term).
Why it matters: the CRD designation allows the city to use incremental increases in property tax revenue from within the district (a TIF) to pay for infrastructure, streetscape, stormwater and other public investments intended to spur redevelopment. Commissioners and staff said the changes aim to make corridors more walkable, encourage mixed‑use development and protect or add public green space.
Key discussion and clarifications: commissioners asked how the plan would affect unincorporated parcels inside the hashed expansion area. Staff and consultants said parcels that remain in Pinellas County would not be the basis for TIF revenues until they were annexed; the plan would, however, guide coordination with county officials and signal the city’s intentions. City Manager Simone and staff confirmed continuing coordination with Pinellas County and said the city will pursue voluntary annexations where appropriate to allow those parcels to participate in district funding later.
Public comment included support from resident Craig Murtha, who urged taller buildings with under‑building parking to increase tax base and open space. Commissioner questions focused on traffic, park space, and preventing car‑oriented uses (storage units, gas stations) that do not fit the envisioned downtown character; consultants said the plan includes provisions to prohibit certain car‑dependent uses going forward while grandfathering existing uses.
The commission approved ordinance 2025‑19 (Clearwater‑Largo Road CRD expansion) and ordinance 2025‑22 (West Bay Drive CRD amendments) on first reading and scheduled second‑reading public hearings for June 3, 2025. Staff said detailed zoning and comprehensive development code changes to implement the plans will return to the commission later in 2025 or early 2026.
Ending note: Commissioners and staff said they plan continued outreach with residents and businesses during the implementation phase; annexation of unincorporated parcels remains voluntary and will be pursued separately from the CRD approvals.
